ESP32: Do I follow copper keep-out rule even with elevated module?

[james_virtudazo]

I'm making a PCB design around an ESP32 module which will attached with female pin headers. I've added a fill on the B.Cu layer for the GND plane so it goes underneath the antenna as well. Realizing this I thought I should remove some of the copper directly below it. What are your thoughts? I haven't designed that many PCB's yet. This is also my first time posting on this forum.

[Doctorandus_P]

My first thought is Yes, keep metal away from the immediate area around the antenna. I guess that even the mounting screw in the corner will degrade the antenna performance (a little bit).

[james_virtudazo]

Thanks. I also thought of moving that mounting screw hole in the corner but didn't know where else to put it. Maybe I'll keep it there to test and remove if necessary.

[voltsandjolts]

Your vias look small. In general, don't use the manufacturer minimums, use generous sizing where possible and save the the minimums for where you really need them (i.e. a very tight board). Do you have rules setup? e.g.

https://gist.github.com/darkxst/f713268e5469645425eed40115fb8b49

[james_virtudazo]

Yeah. I realize that I referenced a setup from an STM32 board design tutorial. What is generally recommended? Also, the traces are 0.3mm for signal, 0.5mm for power (3.3V), I added a 1.0mm for 5V since I also have a MAX98357 module included.

[james_virtudazo]

I just looked at the file you shared. I'll look at it closely later.

[Fire Doger]

This image might help you better understand why this keepout exists.
This is somewhat how the 3D field looks like of this antenna.
If you add metal parts it will disturb this field.
And this picture is not very good, it's not exactly a donut, if you take a closer look they recommend to place it to the corner, but different corner based on if the antenna looks left or right.
You can take a closer look at this appnote but it's harder to imagine in 3d space https://www.ti.com/lit/an/swra117d/swra117d.pdf

[james_virtudazo]

Thank you for this.
This was my 2nd time making a prototype. In the first one I had it on the other side. I'm not sure if I noticed anything about the connection but then again I wouldn't know what to look for.
This the placement I followed for the PCB.